Dental Assisting

Certificate or Associate Degree Program¹^,²

Employment Projection

19% growth nationally from 2016-2026³

Employment Options

Dental Offices,
Private and Governmental Facilites,
Clinics

Program Length

Less than 1 year (Certificate)⁴
About 2 Years (Associate Degree)⁴

1. While some employers may not require this level of education, it can help better prepare you for the responsibilities of this role.

2. Program availability varies by location

3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (visited July 12, 2018).
Data reflects a projected percentage change in employment from 2016-2026 and may not reflect local economic conditions.

4. Not including breaks. Program length by weeks and admission requirements can be found here in the academic catalog.

Dental Assisting Lab
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Classes start as soon as October 29, 2018*

* Class start dates may vary by location or program.

CLASSES START October 29, 2018*

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Which Locations Offer the Dental Assisting Program?

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* Students enrolled into a Hybrid program at the Phoenix North Campus fall under the purview of that campus which includes administering and delivering all aspects of this program. The certificate is awarded from the Phoenix North Campus. Didactic courses are offered online and the hands-on laboratory courses are offered at the Glendale Learning Center, an auxiliary learning site to the Phoenix North Campus.

How Easy Will It Be to Get a Job as a Dental Assistant?

You’re passionate about helping people with their smiles. That will help you succeed as a dental assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the opportunities for dental assistants will continue to grow. In fact, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow nationally 19% between 2016 and 2026⁵.  And there are some reasons for this growth, including:

Continue research showing a link between oral health and general health will increase the demand for preventative dental services.
Dentists need dental assistants to help with routine tasks, giving the dentist more time to see patients in their practice and focus on more complex procedures.
As baby boomers age, and people keep more of their original teeth than previous generations did, there will be a greater need to maintain and treat teeth, which means an increased need for dental care⁶.

5. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (visited July 12, 2018).
Data reflects a projected percentage change in employment from 2016-2026 and may not reflect local economic conditions.

6. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm#tab-6 (visited July 12, 2018).

7%Total Projected Job Growth for All Occupations

19%Projected Dental Assistant Job Growth⁵

Where can you work as a Dental Assistant?⁷

Dental Offices

In a dental office, you’ll be responsible for both chair-side and administrative duties. You’ll check patients in and schedule appointments. You’ll also educate patients about oral care and assist the dentist with his or her exam

Private and Governmental Facilities

Dental assistants in private and governmental facilities are responsible for recording treatment information in patient records. You’ll also help prepare the patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments and set up instrument trays for the dentist.

Clinics

The work done in dental clinics is similar to what you would find in a dental office. A clinic is typically one big room housing all of the dental equipment and instruments, rather than the individual rooms you would find in an office.

Dental Schools

Dental assistants can perform many roles in dental schools. Your main focus will be on helping with the students’ education, but you might also assist with dental cleanings and x-rays or help check patients in, if the school works with the local community.

State and Local Public Health Departments

Working with patients in state and local public health departments, dental assistants will help with cleanings and patient education. You’ll help dentists by handing them instruments during procedures and make sure the patient understands his or her treatment plan.

7. Individuals seeking to enter this career field may be subject to screenings such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks and drug/alcohol testing prior to externship, to attain occupational licensure/certification or employment, and throughout their careers.

What Do Dental Assistants Do?

You’re Ready for a Career Helping People with Their Health.

Dental assistants have the unique opportunity to impact a patient’s overall health by focusing on their oral health. You’ll get to help patients with their smiles and educate them on ways to improve their oral care. It’s something that could change a patient’s life. In Carrington College’s Dental Assisting program, you can get the classroom education and hands-on experience you need. You’ll also complete an externship, giving you real-world experience before you graduate.

Perform necessary chair-side and administrative duties
Take and pour dental impressions
Educate patients about oral health care and provide post-operative care instructions
Take dental x-rays and perform coronal polishes⁸

8. After state certification

What Will I Learn

Dental Assisting

How Does Carrington College Support Me As A Student?

We know college is a big step. But education can be the first step in building a better future. Your instructors, administrators and fellow students are there to help if you ever hit a bump in the road along the way. Carrington College offers a lot of great student support services designed to help you succeed, including:

Student Finance

From scholarships and grants to loans, we will help you understand how to search and apply for financial aid⁹.

Tutoring and Study Groups

For help with schoolwork, your instructors and Student Success Center staff are often available for tutoring or you can join in an open student study group.

Fixed Tuition Promise

How would you like to know what you’re going to pay, right from the beginning? We promise your tuition won’t change through the length of your program. It’s our commitment to you¹⁰.

Externships, Clinical Rotations and Fieldwork

Most programs include an opportunity to learn in the real world before you even graduate! You’ll earn impressive experience that looks great on your resume.

Career Services

After graduation, we’ll help you with your career search with everything from resume writing help to job search support to interview tips.

Support Outside the Classroom

You’ll have access to a confidential¹¹ service called ASPIRE. Specialists can help you work through personal problems, legal issues, childcare referrals, housing assistance or financial concerns.

9. Student loans, grants and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

10. Fixed Tuition Promise is available for all Carrington College students who remain active and in good standing during the duration of their program. Students who withdraw or are withdrawn from school and are not reinstated within 180 days of their last date of attendance are subject to a tuition increase. Students who are required to repeat a course to fulfill graduation requirements are subject to additional expenses.

11. All information shared with the ASPIRE program is strictly confidential unless the student consents otherwise or law requires.

COMPARE THE VALUE

There are a lot of factors to think about when choosing a college, and you want to make sure you’re asking the right questions. That’s why we’ve created this comparison chart, to help you do your homework about what’s included in the cost of your program.

Download the Checklist

LICENSURE EXAM PASS RATES

This program prepares graduates for an occupation in which passage of a California licensing examination is required. The link below shows exam passage rates for the most recent available year. If you have questions regarding the calculation of these rates please contact the agency listed.

Dental Board of California
http://www.dbc.ca.gov/formspubs/rdaprac2016.pdf

Classes start as soon as October 29, 2018*

* Class start dates may vary by location or program.

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Gainful Employment Disclosures

Employment Projection

19% growth nationally from 2016-20263

Employment Options

Dental Offices, Private and Governmental Facilites, Clinics

Program Length

Less than 1 year (Certificate)4 About 2 Years (Associate Degree)4

Dental Assisting Lab 360° Virtual Tour

Classes start as soon as October 29, 2018*

CLASSES START October 29, 2018*

Which Locations Offer the Dental Assisting Program?

How Easy Will It Be to Get a Job as a Dental Assistant?

Where can you work as a Dental Assistant?7

Dental Offices

Private and Governmental Facilities

Clinics

Dental Schools

State and Local Public Health Departments

What Do Dental Assistants Do?

You’re Ready for a Career Helping People with Their Health.

What Will I Learn

Dental Assisting

How Does Carrington College Support Me As A Student?

Student Finance

Tutoring and Study Groups

Fixed Tuition Promise

Externships, Clinical Rotations and Fieldwork

Career Services

Support Outside the Classroom

COMPARE THE VALUE

LICENSURE EXAM PASS RATES

Classes start as soon as October 29, 2018*

19% growth nationally from 2016-2026³

Dental Offices,
Private and Governmental Facilites,
Clinics

Less than 1 year (Certificate)⁴
About 2 Years (Associate Degree)⁴

Dental Assisting Lab
360° Virtual Tour

Where can you work as a Dental Assistant?⁷